I Am the Vine: You are the Branches Made New in Baptism

Unfortunately the Video and Audio is not available for this particular sermon. Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 3rd, 2015 Acts 8:26-40 Psalm 22:25-31 1 John 4:7-21 John 15:1-8 Jesus says that He is the Vine and we hear that we are the branches. In baptismal language, we have been grafted into Jesus’s family as branches … [Read more…]

The Light in the Darkness

Audio version Second Sunday of Easter  April 12, 2015 New Testament      1 John 1:1–2:2 Gospel                   John 20:19–31   The story of Jesus’ death and resurrection is a story of hope for us. It is also a story that helps us to see God in a different light than in the past. We are … [Read more…]

Truth and Witness

Audio Version Easter Resurrection of the Lord Acts 10:34-43 Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 John 20:1-18 Can I get a consensus, that to tell a lie is wrong? What about a “white lie”? What about withholding information that would be beneficial to someone? What if the information may get them out of jail, out … [Read more…]

Jesus is with Us: In Our Darkness & During Our Temptations

Audio Version Old Testament Isaiah 50:4–9a Psalm Psalm 31:9–16 New Testament Philippians 2:5–11 Gospel Mark Mark 15:1–39 Jesus enters Jerusalem triumphantly. He is welcomed as the King of Israel. How quickly this all changes for Jesus, His disciples and subsequently for us as well. We wave our palms, shouting Hosanna in the highest. Next thing … [Read more…]

Into the Wilderness

Audio Version Sunday, February 22, 2015 First Sunday of Lent Genesis 9:8–17 Psalm 25:1–10 1 Peter 3:18–22 Mark 1:9–15 I read the gospel this week and it struck me very starkly about Jesus being driven into the wilderness. When I read this, I had a sense of relief. That may seem a little strange; so … [Read more…]

Sloth or Caterpillar?

 Audio Version Jonah 3:1–5, 10 1 Corinthians 7:29–31 Mark 1:14–20 How do we respond to the calling for change? Many people do not like change and often, put up a fight or flight response to change. When God is calling us to change, do we look for the change to be a change in the … [Read more…]

The Greatest Resource, Often Goes Unused

Audio Link Acts 17:22–31 1 Peter 3:13–22 John 14:15–21 These days we often hear about conserving our resources.  Stay with renewable resources.  Only use what we have the most of and conserve the rest.  When God created the heavens and the earth, God gave dominion over the earth to humanity.  This was first to Adam … [Read more…]

Fear and Love

Audio Link Acts 2:14a Acts 2:36–41 Psalm 116:1–4 Psalm 116:12–19 1Peter 1:17–23 John 20:19–31 I have secrets and do not care to share them. I have had secrets that I dare not share at the time. Some secrets we have may be related to self-perception. Some related to others perception of us. Some are grounded … [Read more…]

Gone!

He was taken from us, why did this happen!? God, Jesus said He was Your Son.  If that were so, then why did You let Him die?  Why God, why have you forsaken Your Son?  If Him, then what about us? Jesus, King of the Jews, Son of man, Son of the living God, has … [Read more…]